2025
Renewal of the Higher Education Strategy Action Plan
The government has adopted (1388/2024. (XII. 11.) Korm. határozat) the Action Plan for the 2025-2026 period (2025−2026. évekre szóló cselekvési terv) of the higher education strategy titled as Change the Pace in Higher Education (Fokozatváltás a felsőoktatásban), which includes 57 interventions and associated indicators along 22 objectives. The document sets out a number of new target indicators, including
- the student drop-out rate will be reduced from 17.76% in 2023 to 17%,
- the participation rate of socially, economically and territorially disadvantaged, disabled and Roma students in higher education will increase by 0.7 percentage points (2023: 13.91%),
- the share of socio-economically disadvantaged people among enrolled students will be at least 7.6%,
by the end of 2026.
Furthermore
- at least 1,800 pieces of digital education content will be developed by the end of April 2026 to support the digital transformation of higher education courses,
- at least 2,800 academic staff (teaching, research, administrative) will be mobile each year to support staff mobility in higher education, of which at least 6.5% will be participate in inclusive mobility.
The document includes a number of additional measures and target indicators to improve the quality of higher education.
Support for students having children
The government will provide state scholarships for married university students with children up to the age of 30. The amended higher education law (40/2024. (IX. 2.) BM rendelet) also stipulates that if a student has previously been admitted to a self-financed status, he or she must be transferred to a state scholarship status. The law also provides that the internal rules of higher education institutions must allow students with children under the age of 14 to be absent from lectures and seminars to care for their children. However, such absence may not lead to exemption from the basic academic requirements. Doctoral students with children will be allowed to extend the deadline for submitting their doctoral thesis by three academic years in view of childbirth and in specific cases as detailed in the doctoral regulations. They will also be entitled to childcare allowance as parents, following the amendment of the Act on Social Administration and Social Benefits (1993. évi III. törvény).
Review of the role of artificial intelligence in higher education
Following an amendment to the Act on Higher Education (2011. évi CCIV. törvény), higher education institutions must review their internal regulations, in particular their study and examination rules, by 1 September 2025 in order to regulate the use of AI in an appropriate manner. They should also review their learning outcomes and curricula to ensure that the introduction to AI is part of their degree programmes.
Relaunch of the Student City - Dormitory Development Programme
On the initiative of the government, the Parliament amended the Act on Fudan Hungary University Trust Fund (2021. évi LXXXI. törvény) in December 2024, renaming it as Knowledge Space Trust Fund and adding the development of internationalisation of higher education to its mission. The Fund's public interest tasks also include the implementation of the Student City - Dormitory Development Programme in cooperation with universities, dormitory development, and the development of student welfare services. In order to achieve this goal, certain properties owned by the Municipality of Budapest and the Municipality of Ferencváros District in the IXth district of Budapest became the property of the State on 1 January 2025, and will subsequently be transferred to the Fund as property allowance.
Possibility to convert a student loan taken out abroad into a Hungarian student loan
With the amendment of the regulation on Student Loan (1/2012. (I. 20.) Korm. rendelet), the government has made it possible, from January 2025, for young people under 45 who study abroad and graduate from abroad to convert their foreign student loan into a domestic student loan when they move home, subject to certain conditions. Applicants must undertake to maintain a student or employment status in Hungary for at least 5 years within 7-year period after the loan conversion has been completed. Within the 5-year period, the student status may not exceed 2 years.
Extension of the Pannonia Scholarship Programme
The government has extended the Pannonia Scholarship Programme to cover general schools and VET institutions run by higher education institution excluded from the EU's Erasmus+ and Horizon programmes. This means that, from January 2025, more than 20,000 students and 2,500 staff from 31 additional general education and VET institutions will be able to participate in international mobility again, as was previously the case under the Erasmus programme.
2024
Support for students in early childhood care and education ITE programmes
The government has launched a scholarship scheme (EFOP plusz 6.2.1) to support students in higher education ITE bachelor programmes of early childhood care and education (as well as vocational secondary education programmes of early childhood care and education). The aim of the scholarship is to ensure the availability of a skilled workforce in childcare institutions, so students receiving the scholarship must commit to working in a nursery after completing their studies. The non-reimbursable scholarship, available from December 2024 for a maximum of 20 months, amounts to HUF 125,000 net (EUR 311) per month (and HUF 59,000/EUR 147 for secondary VET students). The support is funded by the European Union.
Strengthening teacher training
Following last year's changes, this year saw a further 25% increase in the number of applicants for initial teacher education (ITE), doubling the number of applicants in the last two years.
Further strengthening of doctoral education
Scholarships have been expanded and restructured: the New National Excellence Programme will continue from 2024 under a new name, the University Research Scholarship Programme (UREP) (with the Cooperative Doctoral Programme (KDP) as a sub-programme). The new name also includes new elements: the scholarship applications will be announced by the higher education institutions, subject to minimum threshold conditions, evaluation criteria and binding commitments; the allocation of resources between institutions will include new criteria such as industrial property rights activity, publication performance and the proportion of students studying in a dual scheme; the relevant legislation sets a minimum budget of HUF 10 billion per year (50% for the UREP, 50% for the KDP), which is an increase compared to previous years. The amount of the UREP grant is at least HUF 125 000 per month, up to a maximum of HUF 250 000.
New research funding programme
The government has launched a programme to promote international cooperation in Hungarian research, called HU-rizont. The programme will fund the research costs of foreign universities in partnership with Hungarian universities, in return for which the Hungarian universities will define the research objectives. HUF 8 billion is available to fund the programme in 2024.
In addition to the HU-rizont programme, the government has earmarked HUF 6 billion to support international researchers to carry out their research in Hungary.
2023
Updating the higher education strategy
The Government has reviewed and supplemented the "Change of Pace in Higher Education Medium-Term Policy Strategy" and adopted the related Action Plan for 2021-2024. By its Decision No 1499/2023 (16.XI.), the Government
- amended the strategy, adding a chapter on "Monitoring and Evaluation" and performance indicators for socio-economically disadvantaged students;
- adopted the Action Plan for the strategy for the years 2021-2024;
- and agreed on the detailed report on the Action Plan for the strategy for the years 2016-2020.
The documents are available here (in Hungarian):
Fokozatváltás a felsőoktatásban középtávú szakpolitikai stratégia 2016
Fokozatváltás a felsőoktatásban középtávú szakpolitikai stratégia 2016 2021-2024. évekre szóló cselekvési terve
Részletes jelentés a „Fokozatváltás a felsőoktatásban középtávú szakpolitikai stratégia 2016” stratégia 2017-2020. évekre szóló cselekvési tervének megvalósulása
Renewal of teacher training
In order to preserve and expand the competences of kindergarten teacher training in higher education, the ministry, by amendment of the legislation, created an opportunity for kindergarten teachers to obtain a teacher's diploma with a two-year training.
In the field of teacher training, the opportunity was expanded for obtaining a teacher's diploma in the master's cycle with shorter trainings (2-4 semesters), for applicants with appropriate pre-qualification. It has become possible for applicants for 2-4 semester teacher's master's programmes to start and continue their studies with a state scholarship, in addition to the statutory support framework after their scholarship for the previous programme has been used up.
Moreover, through the amendment of the Decree 8/2013 of the Ministry of Human Capacities, students can acquire a teacher’s diploma, in addition to existing or ongoing university studies – in accordance with international practices –, either with complete professional knowledge with 2 semesters of methodological education, or with a combination of professional and methodological education in 3 semesters. This is financed by the state. Students could apply for these correspondence and full-time courses in the supplementary admission procedure in August 2023. The number of applicants for initial teacher training in 2023 is up by 75% compared to the previous year.
The range of institution maintainers involved in the Klebelsberg Training Scholarship Programme has been further expanded, thus, students participating in the teachers training program can fulfil their obligations linked to their scholarship in practice schools of public higher education institutions.
The government allows universities and colleges to set up teacher training centers, in which half of the members of the board responsible for the training curriculum are practising teachers.
Strengthening the links between higher education and VET
The Government has amended the Higher Education Act to allow talented students in vocational secondary education (technikum) to enter into a preliminary student status with higher education institutions in their final year. This gives graduates the opportunity to continue their studies, in addition to obtaining a qualification.
Act LXXXV of 2023 on the amendment of certain laws needed to strengthen the interconnection of universities and research institutions and the economy, and on the amendment of certain laws on adult education and culture (2023. évi LXXXV. törvény az egyetemek és a kutatóintézetek, valamint a gazdaság összekapcsoltságának erősítéséhez szükséges egyes törvények, továbbá egyes felnőttképzési és kulturális tárgyú törvények módosításáról)
Facilitating the possibility to change learning pathways
With the amendment to the Higher Education Act, the government will extend the possibility of changing learning pathway (re-registration) during higher education studies, which was previously only possible between degree programmes in the samefield of study. The measure will also allow for shifting to another degree programme in related fields of study, thus facilitating flexible career choices for students.
Act LXXXV of 2023 on the amendment of certain laws needed to strengthen the interconnection of universities and research institutions and the economy, and on the amendment of certain laws on adult education and culture (2023. évi LXXXV. törvény az egyetemek és a kutatóintézetek, valamint a gazdaság összekapcsoltságának erősítéséhez szükséges egyes törvények, továbbá egyes felnőttképzési és kulturális tárgyú törvények módosításáról)
The strengthening of doctoral courses
Scholarships are planned to be increased within the New National Excellence Programme with 3.5 billion HUF, doctoral students can receive 100 to 200 thousand HUF per month for academic excellence. In addition, the universities can use their additional resources to supplement the scholarships in model-changed, church- and state-maintained institutions.
The government encourages the promotion of the economic utilisation of innovation and scientific results, and to this end, among others, it amended the Government Decree on Doctoral Programme to the effect that among the doctoral programme requirements and the conditions for acquiring a doctoral degree, the social and economic utilisation of the doctoral student’s scientific research activity, in particular its innovative nature, must be taken into account. The Government provided approximately HUF 5.1 billion within the framework of the Cooperative Doctoral Programme; if the student working at the company is also enrolled in a doctoral programme and the results of his or her research have social and economic utilisation, a scholarship of 400 thousand HUF may be awarded.
The concept of co-operative doctoral education has also been introduced in the Higher Education Act to encourage doctoral studies in cooperation with companies, to link universities and the economy and to strengthen the knowledge economy. During their studies, doctoral students will be able to apply their research findings to topics that can be used by the relevant market and industry players, thereby enhancing the competitive position of their employer companies.
Act LXXXV of 2023 on the amendment of certain laws needed to strengthen the interconnection of universities and research institutions and the economy, and on the amendment of certain laws on adult education and culture (2023. évi LXXXV. törvény az egyetemek és a kutatóintézetek, valamint a gazdaság összekapcsoltságának erősítéséhez szükséges egyes törvények, továbbá egyes felnőttképzési és kulturális tárgyú törvények módosításáról)
If young employees working for companies are also enrolled in a doctoral program, they can deduct their social contribution; in addition, their company can ask for a 60 thousand HUF tax relief per month. If a student working in the business sector participates in self-funded doctoral training, the state pays the half of the tuition fee, and companies are encouraged to take the other half.
To increase the number of students enrolled in doctoral programmes, the government made the number of places more flexible, especially in the fields of technical, natural sciences, engineering, IT, agriculture, medicine, and health sciences.
Several higher education institutions, based on an agreement, can establish a doctoral school, which can function as a joint doctoral school.
Based on the government’s decission, time spent in doctoral studies now count towards the pension; the state assumes the first half of the pension contribution, and the universities are encouraged to assume the other half. The most talented students can continue their studies in a doctoral program after the bachelor's degree.
The government has awarded over HUF 4 billion to 150 applicants from 17 Hungarian universities under the Cooperative Doctoral Programme (Kooperatív Doktori Program). The winning applicants will receive a net monthly grant of HUF 400,000 for 24-43 months to work on their research topic in cooperation with a company within the institutional framework of a doctoral school of a Hungarian university. Almost 90% of the grants were awarded to students in the MTMI+ fields (maths, sciences, engineering, information technology, agricultural sciences, medicine and health sciences, and arts). Doctoral students are thus supported in building a scientific career based on market needs, while at the same time supporting the R&D and innovation activities of their company, thus strengthening Hungary's innovation competitiveness.
Higher Education Scholarships
In Hungary, 8 out of 10 students receive a state scholarship, which means an average support of HUF 6 million per capita per year. In the academic year 2022/2023, the number of scholarship programmes provided from the Hungarian state budget and the number of scholarship programmes provided from the higher education institutions' own and other sources: 431 scholarship programmes, which provide excellence, social, research, mobility grants to approximately 280,000 Hungarian and foreign higher education students in state-recognised higher education institutions in Hungary, amounting to approximately HUF 100.6 billion.
New internationalisation programme
With a budget of HUF 10 billion, the government has launched a new exchange programme called the Pannonia Programme, which will provide opportunities for some 8,000 students, professors and researchers to study and research at universities in Europe and beyond, including Asia and North America, on the basis of international agreements concluded by the universities. In addition, more than 200 students will receive scholarships of excellence to study at the best universities in the world. Under the new scheme, credits earned at foreign universities will be fully recognised, i.e. studying abroad will no longer delay the completion of university studies. The programme will focus on fields of study relevant to the Hungarian economy or society. The resources of the Pannonia Programme will be available to the trust funds run universities at the beginning of 2024, and the earliest the university citizens will be able to travel abroad will be in the autumn semester of the 2024/2025 academic year.
János Neumann Programme
The János Neumann Programme, adopted by the Parliament in June 2023, is one of the priority strategic measures of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation. The focus of the Programme is to strengthen the knowledge-based economy through the development of existing institutions and the implementation of new programmes.
Through the János Neumann Programme, the government aims to move Hungary from 21st place in the EU to the top 10 by 2030, and from 35th place to the top 25 innovators in the world by 2030. To this end, a new structure of the scientific and innovation ecosystem was defined, in which the cooperation of universities and the economy plays a prominent role. The National Innovation Agency (NIÜ) was established to create a flexible organization that has a catalytic role in the Hungarian innovation ecosystem and is capable of accompanying and supporting innovative ideas from their conception to marketing. The NIÜ will become the number one custodian of ensuring the economic and social utilisation of resources used in the field of innovation and science policy.
Furthermore, within the framework of the János Neumann Programme, a set of 9 groups of complex measures was developed to achieve the objectives described above. Measures include, among others, support for the internationalisation of Hungarian research and supporting innovative ideas to reach the market; focusing innovation investments on healthy living, on green transition and on digital transition and security; creating a predictable career path for Hungarian researchers; giving priority to Hungarian businesses and inventors in patent procedures; and promoting innovation activities in scientific carrer path as well. In order to create a suitable platform for cooperation between universities and the economy, Science and Innovation Parks are created and the support of innovation is expanded to the entire Carpathian Basin. As part of the programme, the government, in cooperation with the National Research Development and Innovation Authority, has announced a new HUF 35 billion innovation support programme (Fókuszterületi innovációs projektek támogatása).
Fine-tuning of the quality and performance-based financing system
As some time has already passed since the introduction of the new funding system, the public task financing agreements were reviewed at system level and the indicators were fine-tuned by the ministry responsible for higher education, further strengthening the performance-based approach. In consultation with the higher education institutions, the number of students admitted to certain majors was redesigned. Emphasis is placed on a higher proportion of fields given priority by the state (STEM, agricultural sciences, medicine, health sciences, sports sciences and teacher training).
Renewal of the admission systems
In the 2023 admission procedure, higher education institutions could decide on the majors for which they require an advanced or intermediate-level secondary school leaving examination as basis for the admission score calculation and what threshold for admission they apply for each major. In the 2023 general admission procedure, a 10-year record intake of 94,785 people was registered.
Another novelty of the admissions procedure, which has been fully electronic since this year, is that, applicants can now apply from a mobile device.
Language test and language skills
In order to alow higher education institution to define the required level of foreign language for its programmes, the requirement for a state-recognised language exam as a condition for the issuance of the diploma was abolished. The higher education institution must provide foreign language education with a focus on their respective profession as part of their curriculum. The institution of higher education may decide in its curriculum and syllabus, as well as in its study and examination regulations on the framework of education in a foreign language; on the announcement, admission and completion of subjects and curricular units in a foreign language or completing courses (partially) abroad; and the organisation of education, in whole or in part, in a foreign language. When launching a major or vocational training in a foreign language, the higher education institution may require a state-recognised language exam in the language of the programme, as a condition for admission to the programme.
Strengthening dual training
In order to strengthen dual training, the Government has made it possible to introduce ex-post accreditation for the Dual Training Council in 2023.